2-State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao,
China

*Corresponding Address:
State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences
University of Macau
Macao
China
Email:xpchen@umac.mo

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Abstract

Objective

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-lasting inflammatory disease of the colon. Epidemiological studies showed that the
prevalence and incidence of UC are increasing worldwide in recent years. Neferine is a natural alkaloid isolated from Nelumbo
nucifera Gaertn that exerts a variety of biological activities. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of neferine
on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental UC in mice.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, 4% DSS was used to induce a mice model of UC. Neferine (5 and
10 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal injection (ip). Clinical symptoms and disease activity index (DAI) scores
were recorded and calculated. Pathological changes of colon tissues were detected by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)
staining. The levels of inflammatory mediators were detected by ELISA kits. Western blotting and immunohistochemical
analysis were used for the evaluation of protein expressions.